MIA Update - December 19, 2020

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced two new identifications and three burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from World War II and Korea. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Paul E. Saylor, 21, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Saylor. Interment services are pending. Read about Saylor https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2442173/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-saylor-p/.
-- Army Pvt. Hillary Soileau, 23, was a member of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, when American forces went on the offensive to clear Guadalcanal of Japanese Forces. Soileau was wounded on Jan. 14, 1943, during fighting on a group of hills nicknamed Galloping Horse. Following the battle, he could not be found. Soileau was declared missing in action on Feb. 3, 1943, and officially declared killed in action on Dec. 13, 1945. Interment services are pending. Read about Soileau https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2449876/soldier-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-soileau-h/.
-- Navy Seaman 2nd Class Charles A. Jones, 21, of Harvard, Nebraska, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Jones. Jones will be buried in his hometown. The date is yet to be determined. Read about Jones https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2383390/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-jones-c/.
-- Marine Corps Cpl. Elmer E. Drefahl, 22, of Milwaukee, was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Drefahl. The date and location for Drefahl’s burial have yet to be determined by the family. Read about Drefahl https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2370110/uss-oklahoma-marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-drefahl-e/.
-- Army Sgt. Billy V. Rodgers, 19, was a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 31st Regimental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Dec. 2, 1950, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered. Rodgers will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Rodgers https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Recent-News-Stories/Article/2146184/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-rodgers-b/.